KC Leads the Pack in Race Management

For the past year, KC Parks has worked with Evenergy Marketing, LLC to serve as the City’s Race Manager. A change in City ordinance in 2012 transferred responsibility for permitting road racing events to Parks and Recreation. Following an extensive RFP process, Evenergy was chosen to manage the process. In January 2013, the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners entered into a one-year agreement with Evenergy and recently extended their contract through 2014.

As the City’s Race Manager, Evenergy provides a single point of contact to oversee race permit applications, coordinate city services, field calls from residents affected by street closures, and other aspects of races, walks, and bicycle rides that take place on City streets. Initial objectives included:

Manage compliance of permit application requirements and guidelines

Evaluate races, schedule and routes based on a balanced approach of the needs of businesses and residents as well as Race Directors/Organizers

Enhance communication with neighborhoods impacted by routes

Help make Kansas City a great place to hold a race

Sixty-five races were permitted in 2013 with positive feedback received from City residents and Race Directors alike.

“The City Of Kansas City, the KCPD and KC Parks are all pleasure to work with,” says Mark Livesay, owner of Ultramax Sports. “We have the opportunity to work in many cities around the country and KC is by far the best. I wish they all worked like you guys.”

In 2014, the Race Manager will focus on:

Continued enhancement of communication to neighborhoods impacted by routes

Evaluation of race routes and schedules based on input received from various neighborhoods and organizations in 2013

Enforcement of a 90-day application requirement

Research/review of permitting programs in other cities for best practices and evaluation of KCMO program and City services costs

Developing a website to streamline the application process, provide a central location for a race calendar, and other resources for Race Directors and the general public (www.KCRaceDay.org is expected to launch this Spring),

Kansas City, Missouri is at the forefront of race management as one of only a handful of cities to have a position dedicated to road race permitting and oversight. As walks, runs and rides become more and more prevalent, managing races becomes even more critical to balance the popularity of races with their impact on residents. KC Parks is thrilled to have Evenergy as our partner in this endeavor.